Painted Post, New York was named after the old Seneca name for the region which at one time did include a painted post. When the original maker was put up in unclear though there were many stories about the original post and what happened to it; the only thing about its disappearance that is certain is that it did eventually disappear.

In 1824 Captain Samuel Erwin commissioned the first metal Indian monument to be built in Painted Post. In 1948 that monument was destroyed during a violent storm and a new monument, designed by local high school art teacher Norman Phelps was built and placed on Water Street in Painted Post.

And our first photo for this week shows the monument being built! As the new monument was unveiled in 1950, I’m sure many people remember the unveiling ceremony and the fact that the new monument was originally located on a small piece of land in the street itself before being moved to its safer current location near the Village Square in Painted Post.

Do you remember when the new monument was unveiled?

We love local history stories so if you’ve got one to share – let us know!

Photo 2: The New Indian Monument in Painted Post (1950)

And our second photo for this week shows the completed new Indian Monument in 1950.

At the library you can scan your photos and slides to create digital family albums and slideshows; and even use one of the Circut machines, and other Creation Station equipment, to help you create a special paper family history album.

Also of note, we have the local paper, at times called the Corning Leader, Corning Journal or Corning Daily Journal, on microfilm from 1840 to the present — so you can visit the library and research local history and your family tree if you wish!

And…

And if you find any old photos of the Corning area that you don’t know what to do with – you can always donate them to the library!

Hi everyone, as I’m now sharing multiple photos of our region in the olden days, I’ve changed the title of this series of postings to “Local History Photos.” And remember, if you have, or find, any photos of the people, places or events that occurred in the region in days past that you don’t know what to do with; you can donate them to the library and assist us in improving our Local History Photo Archive!

And now, on to the photos of the week!

(Click on the photos for a larger view)

Photo 1: Somber Officer

We have no idea who this somber officer is! I’m a librarian and not, of course, an expert in which military uniforms come from which era but I’m thinking, perhaps, he’s wearing a World War I era navy dress uniform? If you know who he is or what era his uniform comes from please let us know.

Photo 2: Mystery Man With Glass

Our second photo for this week actually consists of one photo and part of a second photo. And we’re going to ignore the part at the very right after the line and focus on the full photo which shows an unidentified man in what looks like a glass shop. I’m wondering if this might be a photo of the Corning Museum of Glass after the Flood of ’72? If you know where the photo was taken and/or who the mystery man is — let us know!

Photo 3: Moving One Of The Indian Statues In Painted Post

Our third photo of the week was obviously taken in Painted Post, and I’m guessing from the cars and the patriotic banners that they the men are installing the new Indian statue, the one that the late Norman Phelps designed, that was installed on Memorial Day 1950 — although the archival card for this photo doesn’t have a date.

In relation, Audrey Phelps, the wife of the the art teacher Norman Phelps who designed the new Indian statue, also known as the Indian Monument, wrote a neat article on the history of the Indian statues in Painted Post, for the Crooked Lake Review – which you can access via the following link: https://goo.gl/XM9QeB

I also discovered while doing research for this posting that the Crooked Lake Review, which offers tantalizing tidbits of local history is now available in blog form. Here’s the link to the site: http://crookedlakereview.blogspot.com/

Have a great day!

Linda, SSCL

Library Local History/Creation Station Resources:

Don’t forget at the library you can scan your photos and slides to create digital family albums and slideshows; and even use one of the Circut machines, and other Creation Station equipment, to help you create a special paper family history album or calendar for 2017!

And here’s your weekly reminder that at the library you can scan your photos and slides to create digital family albums and slideshows; and even use one of the Circut machines, and other Creation Station equipment, to help you create a special paper family history album.

Also of note, we have the local paper, at times called the Corning Leader, Corning Journal or Corning Daily Journal, on microfilm from 1840 to the present — so you can visit the library and research local history and your family tree if you wish!

And…

If you find any old photos of the Corning area that you don’t know what to do with – you can always donate them to the library! We’re happy to add new photos to our Local History Photo Archive.